Unemployment rate ticks up

Published: Wednesday, July 3, 2013 at 03:57 PM.

More people in Gaston County were out of work in May, with the unemployment rate increasing to 9.6 percent.

Both Lincoln and Cleveland counties saw their unemployment rates increase. Lincoln County reported 9.5 percent unemployment and Cleveland County recorded 10 percent unemployment for May.

Gaston County’s rate increased by six-tenths of 1 percent after three consecutive months of falling unemployment. The unemployment rate is back at the level reported for March, but it’s still the lowest May unemployment rate the county has seen since 2008, when just 6.8 percent of Gaston County workers didn’t have jobs.

It’s the same situation for Lincoln and Cleveland counties, with May’s unemployment report being the best May on record since 2008.

Statewide, 8.9 percent of people were seeking work in May. Unemployment rates increased in 87 out of 100 counties, according to the N.C. Department of Commerce’s Labor and Economic Analysis Division.

Scotland County reported the highest unemployment rate at 16.2 percent.

More people in Gaston County were out of work in May, with the unemployment rate increasing to 9.6 percent.

Both Lincoln and Cleveland counties saw their unemployment rates increase. Lincoln County reported 9.5 percent unemployment and Cleveland County recorded 10 percent unemployment for May.

Gaston County’s rate increased by six-tenths of 1 percent after three consecutive months of falling unemployment. The unemployment rate is back at the level reported for March, but it’s still the lowest May unemployment rate the county has seen since 2008, when just 6.8 percent of Gaston County workers didn’t have jobs.

It’s the same situation for Lincoln and Cleveland counties, with May’s unemployment report being the best May on record since 2008.

Statewide, 8.9 percent of people were seeking work in May. Unemployment rates increased in 87 out of 100 counties, according to the N.C. Department of Commerce’s Labor and Economic Analysis Division.

Scotland County reported the highest unemployment rate at 16.2 percent.

Currituck County had the lowest, at 5.7 percent unemployment.

You can reach Amanda Memrick at 704-869-1839 or twitter.com/AmandaMemrick.